BUSINESS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY 23 JANUARY 2007
IN ROOM 106, PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
MINUTES
The meeting began at 12.40 pm
Present: The Speaker (Chair)
Mr B Armstrong
Mr J Dallat
Mr K McCarthy
Mr D McClarty
Mr P McGuigan
Lord Morrow
Ms S Ramsey
Present (secretariat): Mr A Moir The Clerk
Mr J Reynolds Deputy Clerk
In attendance: Mr P Moore Clerk of Business
Ms C McGivern Director of Legal Services
Mr R Good Adviser to the Speaker
Ms F Leneghan Assistant Private Secretary to
the Speaker
Observers: Mr J Wells Deputy Speaker
Mr A Rogers OFMDFM
1. Introduction
1.1 The Speaker welcomed Ms Ramsey to her first meeting of the Committee.
1.2 The Speaker informed members that a memorial service for the late Mr Michael Ferguson would be held in the Senate Chamber on Friday 26 January 2007 at 8pm. The Speaker indicated that an All Party Notice would be issued to alert Members to the service.
1.3 The Speaker advised members that Ms Geraldine Dougan had declared that she wished to sit as an independent Member with effect from 15 January. The Speaker noted that, in accordance with Standing Order 13 (d), Sinn Féin’s voting strength in the Business Committee was reduced by one. The Speaker indicated that she had not previously made an announcement in the Chamber where a Member had declared independence, and that it was not her intention to do so in this case.
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2007
2.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 16 January were agreed and were signed by the Speaker.
3. Matters Arising
3.1 The Speaker, referring to paragraph 2.1 of the minutes, said that the use of mobile phones and other communication devices in the Chamber continued to be a problem. She advised that in other institutions it was not considered in order for Members to actively communicate with these devices whilst in the Chamber, and suggested that Members should be prepared to be called to order if they persisted in disregarding the Speaker’s ruling.
3.2 The Speaker referred members to paragraph 5.1 of the minutes (dates of Easter recess). She advised members that, while the dates were subject to approval by the Northern Ireland Assembly, details would be included on the All Party Notice referred to earlier.
3.3 Mr Dallat, referring to issues relating to the guidance mentioned in paragraph 5.2 of the minutes, sought further information about party staff’s vacation of party offices. He was advised that the Deputy Chief Executive had offered to speak to party groupings about the guidance and that he would be contacted regarding suitable arrangements.
4. Report from the subgroup on Standing Orders for the Northern Ireland Assembly
4.1 Members agreed to defer discussions on the subgroup’s report until the next meeting.
5. Arrangements for a plenary meeting on Monday 29 January 2007
5.1 Members agreed that arrangements should be considered at the next meeting.
5.2 The Speaker reported that, according to legal opinion, dissolution of the Northern Ireland Assembly would occur immediately after midnight on Monday 29 January. There could therefore be no meeting of the Transitional Assembly on Tuesday 30 January. Members had previously been advised that a meeting could be held on that day, and the Speaker apologised for the misunderstanding.
5.3 The Speaker, in acknowledging that there was only one day’s sitting available for the following week, reminded members that there was no limit on the starting or finishing time for that sitting, other than the need for business to be concluded by midnight.
5.4 The Speaker referred to suggestions, made in the Chamber during proceedings on 22 January, that an additional meeting of the Assembly might be held to discuss two topical issues. She advised members that Transitional Assembly Standing Orders required three calendar days’ notice be given of any meeting. The earliest that could be considered for an additional meeting was therefore Saturday 27 January. Ms Ramsey suggested that Standing Orders might be suspended, but was advised that the Transitional Assembly had no power to suspend the Standing Orders, which had been determined by the Secretary of State.
5.5 Following discussions, during which members considered the likelihood of motions emerging from the work of the Programme for Government Committee, members agreed that an additional meeting was not required, and that the sitting times for Monday 29 January would be extended from the recent norm if necessary. Members further agreed to defer decisions on scheduling the two motions for debate until the next meeting.
6. Arrangements for the first meeting of the Transitional Assembly following the election
6.1 The Speaker reminded members that the Transitional Assembly would be able to meet after the election, and that the Business Committee would have responsibility for arrangements for its meetings. Members were provided with a timetable of how events might proceed following an election, and were advised that certain matters could be considered and agreed prior to the election. Members agreed to defer decisions until the next meeting.
7. Any Other Business
7.1 No other business was raised.
8. Date and time of next meeting
8.1 Members agreed to meet as scheduled at 1.30 pm on Wednesday 24 January in Room 106.
The Speaker brought the meeting to a close at 1.00 pm.
The Speaker